Moulding machine technician

Description

Moulding machine technicians service machinery used in the casting and moulding of plastics and other materials. They calibrate the equipment, perform maintenance activities, examine finished products and repair faults.

Other titles

The following job titles also refer to moulding machine technician:

mould maker apprentice
mould filler and drainer
mould filler
mould builder
mould setter
mould presser
mould setting operator
moulding line operator
mould stamper
mould blower
mould dresser
moulding operator
mould mechanic

Minimum qualifications

A high school diploma is generally the minimum required to work as a moulding machine technician.

ISCO skill level

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

  • the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
  • the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
  • the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Moulding machine technician is a Skill level 2 occupation.

Moulding machine technician career path

Similar occupations

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to moulding machine technician.

forge equipment technician
agricultural machinery technician
pneumatic systems technician
fluid power technician
industrial machinery mechanic

Long term prospects

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of moulding machine technician. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of moulding machine technician with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

pneumatic engineering technician
industrial engineering technician
medical device engineering technician
process engineering technician
production engineering technician

Essential knowledge and skills

Essential knowledge

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of moulding machine technician.

  • Types of moulding: The characteristics and procedures used in the various types of moulding such as blow moulding, compression moulding, injection moulding and thermoforming.
  • Mechanics: Theoretical and practical applications of the science studying the action of displacements and forces on physical bodies to the development of machinery and mechanical devices.

Essential skills and competences

These skills are necessary for the role of moulding machine technician.

  • Resolve equipment malfunctions: Identify, report and repair equipment damage and malfunctions; communicate with field representatives and manufacturers to obtain repair and replacement components.
  • Operate welding equipment: Use welding equipment to melt and join together pieces of metal or steel; wear protective eyewear during the working process.
  • Record test data: Record data which has been identified specifically during preceding tests in order to verify that outputs of the test produce specific results or to review the reaction of the subject under exceptional or unusual input.
  • Troubleshoot: Identify operating problems, decide what to do about it and report accordingly.
  • Perform test run: Perform tests putting a system, machine, tool or other equipment through a series of actions under actual operating conditions in order to assess its reliability and suitability to realise its tasks, and adjust settings accordingly.
  • Conduct routine machinery checks: Check machinery and equipment to ensure reliable performance during use and operations in worksites.
  • Repair mould defects: Repair mould malfunctions and damage, e.g. cracks or broken edges; use hand tools, mould boxes and patterns.
  • Use testing equipment: Use equipment to test performance and operation of machinery.
  • Perform maintenance on installed equipment: Perform the maintenance on installed equipment on-site. Follow procedures to avoid uninstalling equipment from machinery or vehicles.
  • Maintain mould parts: Carry out minor repair tasks and maintenance of moulds and mould parts.
  • Replace defect components: Remove defective parts and replace them with functioning components.
  • Consult technical resources: Read and interpret such technical resources such as digital or paper drawings and adjustment data in order to properly set up a machine or working tool, or to assemble mechanical equipment.
  • Use measurement instruments: Use different measurement instruments depending on the property to be measured. Utilise various instruments to measure length, area, volume, speed, energy, force, and others.
  • Operate soldering equipment: Use soldering equipment, such as a soldering gun, a soldering torch or a gas-powered iron, to melt and join together pieces of metal or steel.

Optional knowledge and skills

Optional knowledge

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of moulding machine technician. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

  • Hydraulics: The power transmission systems that use the force of flowing liquids to transmit power.
  • Electronics: The functioning of electronic circuit boards, processors, chips, and computer hardware and software, including programming and applications. Apply this knowledge to ensure electronic equipment runs smoothly.
  • Pneumatics: The application of pressurised gas to produce mechanical motion.

Optional skills and competences

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of moulding machine technician. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

  • Provide technical documentation: Prepare documentation for existing and upcoming products or services, describing their functionality and composition in such a way that it is understandable for a wide audience without technical background and compliant with defined requirements and standards. Keep documentation up to date.
  • Use a computer: Utilise computer equipment or digital devices to facilitate quality control, data management, and communication. Follow instructions given by a computer programme, create computer files or documents.
  • Inspect quality of products: Use various techniques to ensure the product quality is respecting the quality standards and specifications. Oversee defects, packaging and sendbacks of products to different production departments.
  • Order supplies: Command products from relevant suppliers to get convenient and profitable products to purchase.
  • Advise on safety improvements: Provide relevant recommendations following the conclusion of an investigation; ensure that recommendations are duly considered and where appropriate acted upon.
  • Maintain electrical equipment: Test electrical equipment for malfunctions. Take safety measures, company guidelines, and legislation concerning electrical equipment into account. Clean, repair and replace parts and connections as required.
  • Tend mouldmaking machines: Tend and monitor machines designed for mouldmaking processes, such as mixers, belt conveyors, air conveyors, grabs, and others.
  • Install electrical and electronic equipment: Install equipment which is dependent on electric currents or electromagnetic fields in order to work, or equipment to generate, transfer or measure such currents and fields. This equipment includes switchboards, electric motors, generators or direct current systems.
  • Perform ICT troubleshooting: Identify problems with servers, desktops, printers, networks, and remote access, and perform actions which solve the problems.
  • Install hydraulic systems: Install systems and components that use liquid fluid power to create mechanical movements such as hydraulic pumps, valves, hydraulic motors, hydraulic cylinders and other elements that power hydraulic machinery.
  • Estimate restoration costs: Estimate the cost implications of restoring and replacing products or parts.
  • Install pneumatic systems: Install systems and components that use pneumatics to create mechanical movements such as air brakes, pneumatic cylinders, air compressors and other systems.
  • Maintain hydraulic systems: Perform routine maintenance and repairs on systems which use pressurised fluids to provide power to machines and equipment.
  • Provide customer information related to repairs: Inform customers about necessary repairs or replacements, discuss products, services and costs, include accurate technical information.
  • Prepare compliance documents: Prepare documents with legal value which prove that an installation or a facility is conform to the regulations.
  • Maintain electronic equipment: Check and repair electronic equipment. Detect malfunction, locate faults and take measures to prevent damage.
  • Apply technical communication skills: Explain technical details to non-technical customers, stakeholders, or any other interested parties in a clear and concise manner.
  • Write records for repairs: Write records of the repairs and maintenance interventions undertaken, of parts and materials used, and other repair facts.

ISCO group and title

7233 – Agricultural and industrial machinery mechanics and repairers


References
  1. Moulding machine technician – ESCO
Last updated on September 25, 2022

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